Matt Wargo is an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at ¶¶Òõ̽̽. Matt recently joined the FSRC Advisory Board, where he works with our team to help guide the direction of the center. Matt's research focuses on waterborne bacterial infections in the lungs. His research spans many fields, including food safety and food microbiology.
1. What current food systems research are you conducting?
About half of my research is focused on the potable water system as a source for bacterial lung infections and these bacteria are present within a polymicrobial community in the water system. As potable water is used in food production, processing equipment cleaning, and final preparation, the organisms present in the water system can and do interact with those from the food system. We are investigating how the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes and the water system opportunistic pathogen Ralstonia insidiosa interact to form increased amount of biofilm. Biofilms are surface attached communities of microbes that are resistant to cleaning, antibiotics, and disinfectants, so the enhanced biofilm formed by these two species could play a role in persistence of Listeria in food production and preparation environments. This research is being conducted this summer by Sophie Unger, a rising senior Biochemistry major supported by an FSRC SURF.
2. What got you interested in food systems research?
I definitely come to food systems from the water microbiology side. While food safety microbiology and water microbiology are often separate in industry and academia, they are intimately linked.
3. How is your FSRC-funded research impacting Vermonters?
We have just started our FSRC research, so no impact as of yet. Listeria is important for Vermonters as it is a common contaminant in dairy and cured meat products. Understanding how Listeria-containing biofilms are formed should allow us to implement strategies to limit food contamination.
4. Where do you see the role of your field in expanding research on food systems at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ and beyond?
Food and water are necessary for our lives and nutrition has a direct impact on human health and disease. In addition, sometimes food and water are the source of infections ranging from bothersome to life-threatening. Enhancing the interdisciplinary links between food systems and the biology of human health and disease will certainly strengthen the translation of both endeavors to holistically improve human health. At ¶¶Òõ̽̽, I think this would take the form of closer collaborations between the FSRC and researchers in LCOM.
5. What is something about you people would be surprised to learn?
I don’t know about surprising, but I’m a huge fishing enthusiast – both fly fishing and spinning gear, for any species, and Vermont has a nice range of species and habitats to keep me busy when not in lab.
6. What’s your favorite thing about living in Vermont?
Being able to quickly get into wild spaces. I need solitary time and the wide variety of outdoor spaces in Vermont mean that it is not hard to find solitude even with just a short drive.
7. What TV show, band/artist, podcast, video game, book, and/or anything are you most obsessed with right now?
I’ve been listening to a lot of music for the bass lines and then trying to play it, something I picked up at the beginning of the pandemic after not having played any instrument for years. Currently digging listening and playing to The Cure, Alice in Chains, Cliff Burton-era Metallica, and Iron Maiden.
